With the resurgence of interest in breastfeeding Cameron Jordan Saints Jersey , there is increasing demand for natural remedies for the minor problems that accompany nursing. These remedies, taken from my book Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, offer simple, safe ways for nursing women and their infants to counter problems and stay healthy. This information has been collected from wise women, old wives Michael Thomas Saints Jersey , and granny midwives. May you benefit from their wisdom. PAINFUL BREASTS, ENGORGEMENT, SORE NIPPLESPainful, sore breasts and nipples are one of the most common problems encountered during lactation. Virtually every nursing mom will need help on this account at least once. Sore breasts and nipples can prevent nursing, lead to a decrease in milk production Alvin Kamara Saints Jersey , and interfere with the bonding between infant and mother. There are three main causes of painful breasts. 1. EngorgementAn oversupply of milk engorges the breast tissues, causing tenderness and pain. There is no fever and the breasts are not lumpy. Engorgement may occur as a result of a decision not to nurse, when milk comes in very quickly, when mother and child are separated for an extended time, or during weaning. A very strong tea of sage is a classic remedy for stopping the flow of milk. It is taken sip by sip Drew Brees Saints Jersey , up to three cups a day.2. A blocked milk tube or ductThis causes swelling of the breast and acute pain. The blocked duct may feel lumpy and bruised, and a red streak may radiate out from it. Cessation of nursing can increase the discomfort and endanger the milk supply. Nursing should be continued, but carefully, nursing and pumping just enough to empty the breast.Right before nursing, use a warm compress for 5 - 10 minutes (see following). They all taste fine to baby P.J. Williams Youth Jersey , so no need to wash your breast before offering it.3. Mastitis (infection in the breast)Causes swelling and pain, accompanied by acute tenderness and redness of the breast. The infected breast may be hard, lumpy and swollen. There may be fever as well. This condition is the most dangerous of the three. If not treated promptly, the infection can cause scarring of the ducts and prevent nursing a later child. REMEDIES FOR MASTITISUse hot compresses or soaks at least four times daily. Get plenty of bed rest. Breast infections are almost always a sign of too little rest. Regular naps or rest breaks are important too.Nurse as often and as long as possible on the infected breast. A breast infection will not make the infant sick.Propolis is collected and used by bees as glue. It has a history of use against infection in Russia and a strong following among midwives in North America. It is said to accelerate healing time by increasing the body's metabolism and general resistance to disease. A dose of the tincture is 10 to 15 drops twice a day.Echinacea root tincture is an excellent ally for any woman with mastitis. I use one-half drop per pound of body weight as a single dose. (For a woman who weighs 130 pounds, the dose is 65 drops or two dropperfuls.) The dose is repeated as often as twelve times a day until symptoms remiss. I continue taking Echinacea for at least a week after all symptoms have cleared. Poke root tincture (Phytolacca americana) stimulates lymph gland activity and clears mastitis quickly. Poke root is potent and potentially toxic; the effect is cumulative. Use no more than two drops of the tincture daily. I combine poke with Echinacea for acute and severe infections. POULTICES AND SOAKS FOR SORE BREASTSPoultices Andrus Peat Youth Jersey , compresses and soaks are the best first aid for painful breasts. A poultice consists of fresh or cooked herbs placed directly on the breasts. A compress is prepared by soaking a cloth and applying that. And a soak is just that: - a soak in hot water. Hot water alone has beneficial effects for women dealing with sore breasts, no matter what the cause. Hot water stimulates circulation and eases the tension in taut, swollen, breast tissues. Herbs infused in the water used to compress or soak increase the effectiveness. When applying these external remedies, remember that frequent Trey Hendrickson Youth Jersey , consistent, short applications work better than sporadic, lengthy treatments. That is, six or seven treatments of five minutes each spread over the day will be more effective than one treatment lasting for thirty minutes. If infection is present, discard any plant material and wash the poultice materials after each use so as to prevent the spread of the infection.Soak the breasts in a sink full of warm water. Fill the sink Rick Leonard Youth Jersey , lean over, and immerse one or both breasts. You can massage the milk out while soaking to further relieve engorgement and ease pain.Place a handful of fresh or dried parsley leaves in a clean cotton diaper and tie it closed with a rubber band. Put in a pan of water and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Apply the hot (fresh) parsley as a poultice or use the (dried) herb still tied in the diaper as a compress to ease swollen and painful breasts. Prepare fresh or dried comfrey leaves the same way as parsley. A hot compress or poultice of comfrey leaves soothes sore nipples, softens engorged tissues, reduces the pain of swollen breasts, and helps unblock tubes and ducts. It is generally considered safe to use comfrey root preparations externally Tre'Quan Smith Youth Jersey , but nursing mothers may be understandably leery to use them for fear of injuring her infant's liver.A cold poultice of grated raw potato can draw out the heat of inflammation, localize infection and unblock clogged tubes. Grated raw potato is applied directly to the breasts, and covered with a clean cloth. When dry, it is removed and replaced with fresh grated potato.Marshmallow roots make wonderful soaks that soothe tender tissues and sore nipples, open clogged ducts and tubes Marcus Davenport Youth Jersey , powerfully draw out infection, and diminish the pain of engorged, inflamed breasts. Steep two ounces of dried marshmallow root overnight in half a gallon of water just off the boil. . Cheap Jerseys China Online Cheap Youth Jerseys Cheap Youth Jerseys Cheap Soccer Hats Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap NBA Shirts Cheap MLB Hats Cheap Soccer Shirts Free Shipping Cheap NFL Hoodies Free Shipping Cheap NFL Hats China